Looking for sample homeschool schedules? Keep reading!
Scheduling your homeschool day may seem overwhelming at first, so seeing examples of other families’ schedules can help! In the video and blog post below, we share four common types of schedules, each from real families using The Good and the Beautiful curriculum in their homeschools.
The traditional block schedule is best for teaching specific subjects at specific times. This example shows how a family with four school-aged children has scheduled their days.
If you choose to use a block schedule, make sure to have a backup plan for how to handle interruptions. Some families have a “scaled down” schedule, or a Plan B, that they use when unexpected events occur.
With a relaxed schedule, the focus isn’t on the exact time of day schoolwork is done, but rather that a student completes the necessary subjects in a general period of time. This is ideal for families who like routine but find that working with a strict schedule creates stress.
This second example is how one family schedules their homeschool hours around the parents’ work schedules. Many families find that evenings and even weekends work well for school lessons. Our easy-to-teach, open-and-go courses make this type of scheduling ideal for families that need flexibility.
An even more relaxed schedule is a loop schedule. This family has decided how many times they would like to cover each subject every week. They organize the information into a list and begin working at the top of the list.
Schoolwork is not done at a particular time; instead, children complete lessons whenever is best for them each day. When they finish the list, they just return to the top and start again. Our family-style courses fit perfectly into a loop schedule, as parents teach history and science to a variety of ages at one time.
Homeschool parents understand that unexpected events interrupt school time, and sometimes it can be difficult to adjust timed schedules to allow for those interruptions. A loop schedule accommodates this.
Loop schedules are great for families who know which subjects they want to cover but also need extra flexibility in how much time is spent on any subject. If children become very interested in a particular botany concept, for example, parents can expand on it for as long as they’d like. A family then spends less time on lessons that the children have learned quickly.
This second sample shows a loop schedule where a child completes a few core subjects ( language arts , math , and handwriting ) daily, and rotates other subjects throughout the week. This works great for courses that do not need to be completed every day and are done family-style, like history or science, and electives like typing or arts and crafts.
Our last schedule is a simple daily or weekly checklist to keep both students and parents focused on the tasks to be completed, but not at any specific time.
When choosing a schedule style, consider which children and subjects need more one-on-one time and those children who can work independently. Many parents are surprised at the young age children are able to complete lessons, or parts of lessons, on their own. This contributes to a love of learning and independence, which are so valuable for a child’s self-confidence!
Finally, be flexible and give yourself grace.
While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, the beauty of homeschooling is that formal education doesn’t need to happen during typical school hours. Saturdays, evenings … schoolwork can happen anytime!
Our courses provide you with not only flexibility but also the academic rigor needed to give your children a well-balanced, high-quality education! If you are unsure of what is the best fit for your family, try out a few different ways of scheduling your days to learn what works and what doesn’t. Many homeschool parents rotate different schedules in different years, or even in the same school year.
This is the true good and beautiful aspect of homeschooling. It’s up to you. Your schedule must fit your family at any given time. Learn from others, but make it your own too!
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